Taking a 15 Month Old to an Amusement Park

We took our son to Disney World when he was about that age. We were on a larger family vacation. I turned to my husband and said, "Why are we taking a toddler to Disney? He'd have just as much fun if we took him to the park." My husband laughed and said, "We're doing it for the nieces."

If you are going because the two of you really want to go and don't mind taking her along, fine. Go and have a great time. But if you are going because you think she will love Disney, I think you'll find she'd have just as much fun if the two of you take her to the park.

A stroller she can nap in. Plenty of snacks, make sure you all stay hydrated.

You're going for YOU guys, right? Because she may have fun with you but she's not going to appreciate it the way you do. Just so you're not expecting HER to enjoy the trip in a certain way.

Take along a family member or friend at your expense to babysit her for a few hours each day. This way you can get away and enjoy the trip without a crying baby along. She will be tired and super overwhelmed by all that she'll see and hear there.

I can't imagine taking a child under 3 to a place this wonderful and magical. She won't remember any of it and will do much better getting some quiet time and good rest during part of the day.

My granddaughter loves to go to Disneyworld and she has been going since she was 6 months old. There should be a baby care center there where you can go and sit in air-conditioning out of the hustle and bustle of the park. I would bring a stroller she is comfortable in and that can recline for a nap. And plenty of snacks and drinks that she likes. How does she feel about some of the Disney characters? Sometimes they are big and are scary to the little ones so let her look from a distance at first to see if she is interested or scared. Talk about them (the characters) before you go Don't have tremendous expectations of getting a lot done in terms of rides or shows or character greetings. The park should be decorated for Christmas already and be very pretty and colorful. You could get a photo pass and then you will be able to get a few good family shots. Keep your cell phone handy to take pictures of your daughter during the day. Enjoy! We have some very special pictures of our granddaughter enjoying the magic of Disney. Each time she goes, she finds something new and it is fun to watch that discovery.

You are going to have a blast. Here are some tips:

1. Don't try to do it all. Follow your daughter's cues and take breaks when you need to. If you're constantly on the go and she's melting down, no one is going to have fun. Stop for ice cream or something.

2. She might get sick of waiting in lines, so plan to spend some time at the play areas in ToonTown. There are a couple of mini playground type places with slides and clubhouses that she can freely play in without having to wait.

3. Visit the Baby Center. If you were walking up Main Street from the main entrance, you would turn to the right just after the last shop (where the street opens up to the big circular area in front of the castle). They have quiet places to feed the baby, microwaves to heat bottles if you need it, and really nice changing stations. It is very quiet and peaceful in there. It's a really good place to take a break.

4. Several rides are closed right now for renovations, so don't set your heart on any certain rides. Some are long-term and others are just to get set for the holidays, but just know that some things might not be open (Small World and the Teacups were both closed when I was there a couple of weeks ago).

5. The Storybook Canal, Casey Jr. Train, and Small World (if it's open) are all good rides, as they are slow and not scary if some of the other rides freak her out. A lot of little kids get scared by the "inside" rides in Fantasyland, like Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, etc. She might be fine, but just something to keep in mind.

6. Bring lots of snacks and lots of diapers. Don't leave valuables in your stroller while you wait in line. If you have a common stroller, put something on it to distinguish it from all the others.

Just don't have too many expectations or try to make special/magical things happen. You'll have a lot more fun if you go with the flow and follow your daughter's lead.

Just take it slow and don't try to do/see it all. Make sure her stroller is comfy so she can easily nap in it. If you're staying in a hotel take a break mid day and try to nap in the room.
We traveled and were on the go a LOT from the time our kids were born so they were pretty easy going when it came to sleeping in a snugli or stroller. We often had full days out, at the zoo, beach, etc. The more you do it the easier it will be for all of you.

Take advantage of the Baby Care Center at Disneyland. It's a great resource even through toddlerhood. There is a private area to nurse, plenty of changing tables, high chairs for little ones to sit and eat, a tv to watch, a kitchen to heat up formula or food, and if you happen to run out of wipes, diapers, etc, they sell them there too. As my son got older and potty training was an issue, it was great to take him there to use the small child sized toilets. I always found it to be a total safe haven where you could tend to your child like you would at home and get away from all the hustle & bustle of the park. Your baby is at a great age though and should really enjoy everything there is to see and hear. The key is to avoid overstimulation and naps in the stroller or even leaving the park for a bit if you are staying on property can help with that. And don't be afraid to ask a cast member for help if there is something you need- they are great at accommodating people and making your trip extra special or less stressful. Hope you all have fun!!

P.S. If she is not afraid of characters, splurge at eat at Minnie and Friends at the Plaza Inn. The best time to go is at the very end of the breakfast reservations, before they switch to lunch. I have pics of my son at 10 months getting fed by Minnie, nose to nose with Pooh, etc. They were so attentive and there was hardly anyone left in the restaurant so he practically had the characters all to himself for quite awhile. It is the best memory I have of either Disneyland or Disney World and he is 6 now so we have lots of them!

We took our 1st Grangirl when she was 18mts. old and it was enjoyable but not the best experience we ever had with children. I was surprised to find she was scared of, 'It's A Small World', and the fact that we couldn't get off of the ride was a negative for us. We had our best times with her on the trains/trams and simply walking around 'seeing' everything. I am sure it's too late to change your plans but I found with time & experience that the first, best time for a little one is at 5 years...Just take your time and let her lead the way by her attitude towards the various things to see/do, plan to eat YOUR meal somewhere as quiet as possible while she naps or get a take-out order for you & DH after she has lunch and is resting (make sure the stroller you have/rent has a good cover and reclines)...Have a relaxing, enjoyable day!

Make use of the baby centers! There's one in Disneyland
And one in California Adventure. Clean areas to. Change
The baby and even feed them. When my girls
Were that age I would wear them in the ergo after
Lunch and they would take nice naps in there.
That way we could still walk around or even watch
A show or go on an easy ride like pirates of the Caribbean, etc.
have fun! We love Disneyland!

I've been taking my DD to Disney World since she was 5 weeks old. make sure you have lots of snacks, drinks and a stroller...

I take my kids on all day adventures about once a week. Lots of snacks...anything she likes to sleep with...then, after lunch,hope she naps in the stroller!